Local look: Haus of Reign

In her monthly column, Local look, RedEye special contributor Lauren Krause visits a local boutique and assembles a head-to-toe outfit.

Local look: Haus of Reign1345 S. Michigan Ave. 312-496-3038

For a boutique that’s poised to dominate every woman’s closet, look no further than Haus of Reign. Classic silhouettes, bold colors and never-ending accessories fill this industrial-looking South Loop storefront. Owner Althea Grant confessed that she felt inspired by the city and was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug. “When I moved here three years ago, I knew I wanted to open a women’s clothing boutique because I felt that Chicago was on the cutting edge of fashion.” Grant chose the one-year-old store’s location for its diversity and lack of women’s clothing shops.

The hot days of summer beg for bright whites, and this dress (Blaque Label, $125) fit the bill. Standing out in a sea of maxi-dresses, this sheath drew me in with its clean lines, but called for texture. I opted for an art deco-inspired chevron clutch (Zenzii, $175) and turquoise and gold necklace (Amrita Singh, $37.50) in a similar style for color and interest. A chunky bangle (Karine Sultan, $35) was all I needed to complete my minimalist, summery outfit.

Where to wear it: Sipping a cocktail on a swanky rooftop.

>>TIPS-Solid colors are incredibly versatile. This dress could be worn casually with flats and a scarf or dressed up for the office with a blazer and pumps. -Keep accessories to a minimum if you want to feature one bolder item, like this graphic clutch.